Arthroscopic patellar denervation for patellofemoral (anterior knee pain) in young patients: Indications and outcome

Abstract

Introduction: Anterior knee pain mainly affects middle age group especially those who have structural malalignment of lower limbs. There is no consensus on the treatment in those who have idiopathic anterior knee pain with normal or mild structural lower limb malalignment. Materials and Methods: Arthroscopic peripatellar denervation was done in 30 patients (40 knees) from January 2017 to July 2019. All patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively by Kujala and Werner functional knee score. Results: Kujala score was improved from 70.4 (45–84) preoperatively to 93.3 (75–100) at 6 months (P < 0.05). Werner anterior knee pain score improved from 29.56 (17–37) to 44.7 (32–50) at 6 months (P < 0.05). No significant improvement was seen in both scores after 6 months. Excellent results were obtained in all patients except those had excessive femoral anteversion and full-thickness cartilage defect of the patella. Conclusion: We concluded from this study that arthroscopic peripatellar denervation is a promising treatment in young patients with no or minimal structural abnormality.